Preliminary hearing for University of Alabama football players waived

All four of their cases will be heard by a grand jury.

Preliminary hearing for University of Alabama foot

11/17/12 - Tuscaloosa, Ala - Alabama running back Brent Calloway (21) attempts to elude Western Carolina defensive back De'Von Richardson (29) during the fourth quarter of college football action Saturday November 17, 2012 at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala.

(Tuscaloosa News / Jason Harless)

By Stephanie TaylorStaff Writer

Published: Tuesday, March 19, 2013 at 3:29 p.m.

Last Modified: Tuesday, March 19, 2013 at 3:29 p.m.

A preliminary hearing scheduled for three former University of Alabama football players was canceled Tuesday.

Attorneys for Eddie Williams, D.J. Pettway and Brent Calloway waived a preliminary hearing scheduled for 2 p.m. today in Tuscaloosa County District Court.

The attorney representing Tyler Hayes, 18, never requested a hearing. All four of their cases will be heard by a grand jury, which will decide whether to continue prosecution against the young men.

Preliminary hearings are a way for defense attorneys to question witnesses and learn what evidence prosecutors have against their clients.

Defendants usually choose to waive a hearing if they are out on bond and if prosecutors have already shared discovery evidence, such as police reports and other investigative documents.

Attorneys for Williams, Calloway and Pettway have all requested that a judge grant the men youthful offender status.

Williams is accused of robbing two University of Alabama students during the early morning hours of Feb. 11, taking a laptop and a wallet. Pettway and Hayes are accused of participating in one of the robberies and being present during the other.

Williams and Calloway are also accused of using a credit card stolen in one robbery.

All four were kicked out of school and dismissed from the team after judicial hearings.

<p>A preliminary hearing scheduled for three former University of Alabama football players was canceled Tuesday.</p><p>Attorneys for Eddie Williams, D.J. Pettway and Brent Calloway waived a preliminary hearing scheduled for 2 p.m. today in Tuscaloosa County District Court.</p><p>The attorney representing Tyler Hayes, 18, never requested a hearing. All four of their cases will be heard by a grand jury, which will decide whether to continue prosecution against the young men.</p><p>Preliminary hearings are a way for defense attorneys to question witnesses and learn what evidence prosecutors have against their clients.</p><p>Defendants usually choose to waive a hearing if they are out on bond and if prosecutors have already shared discovery evidence, such as police reports and other investigative documents.</p><p>Attorneys for Williams, Calloway and Pettway have all requested that a judge grant the men youthful offender status.</p><p>Williams is accused of robbing two University of Alabama students during the early morning hours of Feb. 11, taking a laptop and a wallet. Pettway and Hayes are accused of participating in one of the robberies and being present during the other.</p><p>Williams and Calloway are also accused of using a credit card stolen in one robbery.</p><p>All four were kicked out of school and dismissed from the team after judicial hearings.</p><p>Reach Stephanie Taylor at stephanie.taylor@tuscaloosanews.com or 205-722-0210.</p>